ArtSmart is a series of arts education classes, workshops and lectures that takes arts lovers like you behind the curtain. Whether you’d like to improve your skill on the dance floor or learn more about classical music, creative writing or film, there’s an ArtSmart course – taught by nationally and locally recognized artists and instructors – that will intrigue and involve you.

ArtSmart sponsored by Robbi and Bruce Toll

ArtSmart Lunch and Learn
Co-chairs: Natalie Stone and Lee Wolf

HEAVEN SCENT GEORGE BALANCHINE'S FASCINATION WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX
Lecturer:Steven Caras • A Kravis Center Cultural Society Event
"Ballet is woman" - one of choreographic genius George Balanchine's many testaments to the fact that his love for both women and ballet were one and the same.  Witness to this for many years was Steven Caras, a former dancer and later photgrapher with New York City Ballet under the leadership of 'Mr. B.' during the company's true golden eras.  Sharing colorful stories of the master's relationships with women beginning with his mother, to his ballerina wives (there were four) to the last days of his life, Caras reveals a poignant glimpse of this dance genius and a lifetime devoted to his muses.
Monday, January 21 / 11:30 am
The Weiner Banquet Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $75

THE MYSTERY OF GRIGORY RASPUTIN:
FROM SIBERIAN PROVENANCE TO IMPERIAL POWER
Lecturer: Stephen de Angelis • A Kravis Center Cultural Society Event
An exploration into the ascendancy, influence and murder of the last of 10 holy gurus to surround the Emperor and Empress of Russia: Nicholas and Alexandra. Slides and documents.
Monday, February 18 / 11:30 am
The Weiner Banquet Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $75

THE LIFE IN FASHION OF COCO CHANEL
Performed by Lee Wolf • A Kravis Center Cultural Society Event
Coco Chanel was so much more than an epic designer, a fashion icon or an inspirational marketing genius, she was also quite a lady! Lee Wolf will, in this lecture, put the woman and the legend in perspective. Through the media of commentary and film we will explore and celebrate this amazing, enigmatic woman.
Monday, March 10 / 11:30 am
The Weiner Banquet Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $75

ArtSmart Film Series

FILM SERIES
AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
Host: Lea Jefferson
The African American Heritage Bookstore teams up with the Kravis Center to present the third African-American film festival with a program that will take place over three evenings with a different film to be featured each evening. 
Thursdays, March 20, 27 and April 3 at 7 pm-9 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion
$10 per night or $25 for entire festival

ArtSmart Radio Drama Series

RADIO DRAMAS
This unique series will recreate the glorious radio dramas of yesteryear, with live actors utilizing authentic props, sound effects, etc. The audience will play and integral part in these productions, which will be simulcast on 90.7 WXEL-FM.
Mondays, October 15 (Dracula), November 12 (A Tale Of Two Cities) and December 17 (Treasure Island) at 8 pm
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Playhouse /$15 for each performance

ArtSmart Classes & Workshops

BEGINNING ACTING FOR ADULTS
Instructor: Don Butler
This is an introduction to the craft and art of acting. In this class you will learn the most commonly used vocabulary and explore a number of different approaches to the craft. Each actor's needs are diagnosed individually, but particular emphasis will be placed on discovering and using objectives as well as fully exploring the environment and given circumstances of the play. A specific tenet of this class is that "acting is doing" and that only by really "doing" does one begin to approach truthful behavior on the stage or in film. The workshop will include improvisation, basic scene work and perhaps a monologue; and is totally process - not performance - oriented.
Wednesdays, October 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28 and December 5 at 10 am-12 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $200

SCENE STUDY
Instructor: Don Butler
This is a continuation of the earlier work, so there is a prerequisite of having had Beginning Acting or a previous acting class elsewhere. (In the latter case an interview will be required). In this workshop there will be greater focus on actually creating a character, while still working on the elements discovered in the first class. If time permits there may be some work on cold readings and perhaps audition technique. While process will remain the central approach, there is the possiblity of a final showcase of short scenes that have been worked on in class.
Wednesdays, January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 12 and 19 at 10 am-12 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $200

BEGINNING WRITING WORKSHOP I
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
Eight sessions that cover the basics of writing. Oral exercises in class as well as weekly written assignments are given. Questions, comments and discussions are encouraged.
Mondays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18, 25 at 1:30 pm-3 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $300

BEGINNING WRITING WORKSHOP II
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
Eight sessions that cover the basics of writing. Oral exercises in class as well as weekly written assignments are given. Questions, comments and discussions are encouraged.
Mondays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7, 14, 21 at 1:30 pm-3 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $300

THE WRITING PROCESS I
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
In order to attend these sessions one must have taken the entry workshop and have been approved by Ms. Gilbert to attend. Special emphasis is placed on the ability to rewrite.
Tuesdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, 19, 26 at 1:30 pm-3 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $300

THE WRITING PROCESS II
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
In order to attend these sessions one must have taken the entry workshop and have been approved by Ms. Gilbert to attend. Special emphasis is placed on the ability to rewrite.
Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 8, 15, 22 at 1:30 pm-3 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $300

THE WRITERS’ CIRCLE I
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
By invitation only, the sessions include oral reading and discussion as well as editing and marketing strategies.
Mondays, January 7, 21, February 4, 18, March 3, 17, 31 and April 14 at 10:30 am-12:30 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $350

THE WRITERS’ CIRCLE II
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
By invitation only, the sessions include oral reading and discussion as well as editing and marketing strategies.
Thursdays, January 10, 24, February 7, 21, March 6, 20 and April 3, 17 at 6:15 pm-8:15 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $350

SHOWCASE THE WRITING
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
Readings open to the public to exhibit the talents of some dedicated writers in The Writers' Circle.
Fridays, January 25, February 29, March 14 and April 25 at 7 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $10 per Showcase

STAGED PLAYREADINGS
Instructor: Julie Gilbert
Puma by Julie Gilbert and Frank Evans - A play depicting an obsessive relationship between Marlene Dietrich and Erich Maria Remarque. The Cottage by Julie Gilbert - there once was an only child who desperately wanted something that her parents could not give her.
Thursday, January 10 and Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $15 per Reading

AMERICAN STYLE BALLROOM DANCE
Instructor: Angelo Caruso
Foxtrot, waltz, tango, swing, cha-cha and rumba will be explored. No dance experience required.
Mondays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18, 25 at 6:15 pm-7:45 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $160

ADULT TAP
Instructor: Kimberly Smith
Tap dancers will find this class fun, challenging and gratifying. Come and take 90-minute classes with Broadway dancer Kimberly Dawn Smith. She will renew your excitement over the course of eight weeks in traditional, Broadway-style "Tap" dance routines. Dancers will each find their own personal challenges along the way.
Tuesdays, January 22, 29,  February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4 and 11 at 6:15 pm-7:45 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $160

THEATRE SEMINAR: A CLOSER LOOK AT THREE CLASSICS
Instructor: Lee Wolf
Provides background and thought-provoking analysis of three classic works: Catch-22, Julius Caesar and The Tempest. The objective of the seminar is to enrich audience members’ understanding and enjoyment of these time-honored treasures coming to the Rinker Playhouse. 
Tuesday, January 22, Wednesday, January 23 and Tuesday, March 25 at 1:30 pm-3 pm 
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $10 per lecture

MARTHA GRAHAM'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE SOUTHWEST
Instructor: Janet Roseman
The Southwest has always held a special calling for artists, igniting their inspiration and creativity and that calling beckoned dance pioneer Martha Graham her entire life. Married, divorced and finally buried in New Mexico, Graham's connection to the New Mexico landscape was profound. She was influenced by the rich culture of the land, Native Americans and the artists she met there.  This lecture will discuss how the Southwest was a breathing, vibrant personality that spoke to her and profoundly affected her choreographic palette and the spiritual principles of movement she embodied.
Tuesday,  February 5 at 6:15 pm-7:45 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $35

GYPSY MUSIC JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD
Instructor: Roni Stein
Taking you on a nostalgic caravan from countries around the world from the 12th century to date, this lecture will highlight famous gypsy performers and their beautiful music, while analyzing each country's origin and background.
Thursday, March 6 at 6:15 pm-7:45 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $30

ArtSmart Workshops For Young People

YOUNG PLAYERS’ WORKSHOP I (10-12 year olds)
Instructor: David Hyland
A structured but choice-based approach to theatre training for the young actor. The final class may include a showcase for friends and family.
Saturdays, October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8, 15 at  10 am-11:30 am
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $200

YOUNG PLAYERS’ WORKSHOP II (10-12 year olds)
Instructor: David Hyland
A further exploration of choices for the young actor in training. The final class may include a showcase for friends and family. Participants must have been enrolled in Young Players’ Workshop I.
Saturdays, January 26,  February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 1, 8, 15 at
10 am-11:30 am
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion / $200

“ARTHUR” FAMILY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Sandra Baran
This new family workshop offers a great way to expand your child’s experience at the Kravis Center. Arrive early for a pre-performance workshop prior to the Family Fare presentation of Arthur Live!. Sandra Baran, Master Music Educator, will lead participants in an interactive music workshop incorporating themes from Arthur Tricks The Tooth Fairy. Begin your afternoon with an exciting exploration of music, movement and adventure. Recommended for children ages 4-6 years old.
Tuesday, April 22 at 5:45 pm-6:45 pm
The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center in the Cohen Pavilion /
$16 for adult and one child / Separate ticket is required for performance.